Benji Marshall
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| Personal information | ||
|---|---|---|
| Full name | Benji Quentin Marshall | |
| Date of birth | February 25, 1985 | |
| Place of birth | Whakatane, New Zealand | |
| Height | 1.81 m | |
| Weight | 90 kg | |
| Nickname | Bagz | |
| Position | Five-Eighth | |
| Professional clubs* | ||
| Years | Club | Apps (points) |
| 2003 - 2007 | Wests | 49 (92) |
| Representative teams | ||
| 2005 - 2006 | New Zealand | 2 (0) |
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* Professional club appearances and points |
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Benji Quentin Marshall (born February 25, 1985 in Whakatane, New Zealand) is a rugby league player for the Wests Tigers in the Australian National Rugby League competition. He has represented New Zealand in internationals. Although he has played other positions, Marshall normally plays as a five-eighth
When possessing the ball, Marshall likes to use a unique 'sidestep', a sudden change of direction, to avoid defending players.
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[edit] His NRL career
Marshall made his debut in July 2003 at age 18 against the Newcastle Knights, coming on as a replacement in the 14th minute as fullback. The Tigers won the game 50–16. Marshall continued to make appearances for Wests Tigers for the remainder of 2003, when his studies allowed, playing half back.
In 2004 Marshall starred in the pre-season World Sevens competition helping the Tigers to win the tournament. He began the NRL season playing centre until he dislocated his shoulder against the North Queensland Cowboys. During his time off the Tigers struggled in attack. When he returned after four weeks off he was moved to the play making position of 5/8. From there Marshall set the club on a record 3 match winning streak. He dislocated the same shoulder four weeks into his return and his 2004 season was ended as he had surgery.
In 2005 Marshall injured his other shoulder in the opening minutes of the first trial (practice) match. After missing the opening round match (which the Tigers lost), Marshall went into five-eighth for the club's second match of the year against defending premiers The Bulldogs.
With an injury free run, Marshall demonstrated a passing, running, and kicking game to compliment his stepping. He was able to score individual tries and set-up tries for his team-mates.
He and his team mates then went on to win the 2005 premiership against the North Queensland Cowboys
In 2006, in the opening game against West's rivals St George before a 30000+ crowd, With a broken cheekbone, Benji set up the winning try with a flanking run, than an inside step, drawing in three St George left wing defenders, before passing to the unmarked Wests winger to score.
Making his comeback against Melbourne Storm, Marshall set up many tries with a mixture of stepping and perceptiveness. In the 79th minute he was injured by Cowboy's prop Carl Webb. He popped his shoulder out but recovered in 3 weeks, playing for New Zealand in the Anzac test. With another injury-free run he began producing dominating performances of the Tigers but 8 weeks into his come-back he dislocated the same shoulder that was dislocated against North Queensland and he is expected to miss the rest of the season
[edit] Side-Step
At the start of his career Marshall took the Rugby League world by storm when he unleashed his unique side step on opposition teams. Marshall's side step bamboozled teams such as the Brisbane Broncos and Newcastle Knights in the latter part of 2003, when he made his debut.
[edit] Career Playing Statistics (as of the end of the 2006 season)
| Apps | Tries | Goals | F/G | Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 49 | 21 | 4 | 0 | 92 |
| Also see: *Official Scoring Record | ||||
[edit] International
Although legally able to represent Australia, Marshall declared his loyalty to New Zealand early in his career.[citation needed] This meant he could not play State of Origin. Marshall made his New Zealand debut in the 2005 ANZAC Test. New Zealand lost.
He was named as New Zealand five-eighth for the 2005 Tri Nations tour. However, surgery on his shoulder in June ruled him out .
Benji is also an accomplished Guitarist and singer.
[edit] References
- Daily Telegraph article on Benji re-signing with Tigers
- Sydney Morning Herald Article, October 2005
- Benji’s debut – Sydney Morning Herald July 2003
